Army Life – Dear Dad – Marian Writes About a Move – September 14, 1944

Another letter from Marian to Grandpa keeping him up-to-date on the activities of the Lad Guion’s in Jackson, Mississippi.

Wednesday –

Jackson 9/14/44

Grandpa’s writing

Dear Dad: –

We’ve moved again, but not out of Jackson. Our new “home” is very much nicer than the first one, and we have kitchen privileges, so we don’t have to eat out. And from what we’ve sampled of Southern cooking, we are just as glad! Somewhere along the way I’ve been sadly misinformed about Southern cooking. (That’s not the only dissolution – I imagined sitting on the porch, sipping mint juleps and sniffing magnolias and honeysuckle! Something is definitely wrong! Mississippi is as dry as can be, and beer is a poor substitute for a mint julep!)

The couple who own the house where we are staying are very nice, and the house is furnished very nicely – Both of them work so we have the house to ourselves during the day.

For we are on the swing shift. Lad’s classes are from 3:00 in the afternoon until 1230 at night. Consequently, he gets home at 1:30 or so and doesn’t have to report back to Camp until to the next afternoon. Although night classes are a little hard on the fellows, the day schedule would be worse, for he wouldn’t get off until 5:30 or 6 and would have to be back at Camp at 1 AM. So we are hoping the present schedule continues. He gets home every night and has from 12:30 Friday night until 2 PM Monday afternoon off. So far, at least – which is very nice indeed.

Our new address is 303 Longino, Jackson – but I think you might as well continue to send your weekly “morale – builder – uppers” to Lad at Camp. They are certain to reach us that way.

In case you are still wondering, the “we” I referred to in my letter written coming across the country were two of the wives who came with me and a two-year-old boy. We all lived at the same place in Pomona, so we decided to stick together and come here, too. We are living in a different part of town than they are, but it is very convenient to hop a bus now and go see them. ‘Cause afternoons and evenings give us a lot of spare time.

You are probably wondering what happened to the photograph we promised you. We have it with us and are sending it on to you. We’re sorry to say that they did too much re-touching, and that the proof was really a much better likeness than the finished product. But maybe you can hide it in some dark corner – at least, we tried – but we are not satisfied as yet – and will continue to try to get a better one taken – some time. And that’s a promise!

With all our love –

Marian and Lad

P.S. Lad tells me that September 11th was a very special day in your life. Please forgive our tardiness. Our best wishes for you are just as sincere and heartfelt as if we had been there to wish them in person.

M

Tomorrow, Lad’s account of his second day on the Santa Rosa as he heads south to Venezuela to join his Uncle Ted Human and his brother, Dan in 1939.

On Sunday, more of Marian’s ancestors.

Judy Guion

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Army Life – Dear Dad – From Marian – Visit with Dave – September, 1944

Lad has been transferred from Santa Anita in California to Jackson, Mississippi. Marian has driven the Buick to join him.

Tuesday –

Dear Dad: –

We had the grandest visit with Dave weekend before last. We finally made connections and were able to spend Saturday and part of Sunday with him. We wished that it could have been longer, but we had to get back to Camp. Dave was the plutocrat and if connections had been better, he would have come back with us (He had a three day pass.) But bus and train connections were simply foul, so we left him Sunday afternoon at the bus station where he got a bus to Fort Smith, and we drove back to Jackson.

Don’t you dare tell him I said so, – I don’t think he’d forgive me – but I think Dave is as cute as he can be. I’m so glad I got a chance to meet him. He and Lad are a great deal alike, aren’t they? I watched them walking down the street together and there was no question as to their being related (Was there ever????) That last remark of mine sounds most peculiar, but you know what I mean!) It just seems to me that the family resemblance is very strong between them. (They even stand the same way with their feet crossed! See what I mean??) Anyway, we had a grand time together and left with the fervent hope that it won’t be too long before we meet again under more favorable circumstances.

That old overseas question is getting closer and closer – we had so hoped that we could spend our first anniversary together, but we aren’t too sure now. But it gets closer and closer, so we might make it. In the meantime, we avoid the subject like poison, and talk of more frivolous things!!!!

Lad has applied for (and received) gasoline for me to drive to Connecticut, so one of these fine mornings I may come blowing in with the breeze. I’ll let you know more specifically exactly when I’ll arrive. (Looks as though I’m going to cash in that rain check very soon now).

Now that Lad is on the day shift again, and I have some spare time during the day, I’m working again. This time it’s at Woolworth’s and it is very enlightening,to say the least. It keeps me hopping trying to figure out what the customers want. Piece goods, for instance, or a shoe spoon. (Yardage and a shoehorn) And one customer (a Negro) came in today and asked for what I thought was a “straight comb.” I showed her everything we had, and even repeated it after her, but she still insisted that I didn’t understand. Turns out she wanted a straightening (straightn’) comb – to take the kinks out of her hair (Well, how was I to know!??)!!! Chalk it down to the liberal education I am receiving traveling over the countryside with my beloved husband.

Mom’s eyes are coming along just fine, Dad. When she first got her glasses she had difficulty distinguishing depth, and sometimes the walls seemed to be coming toward her, but she reports that she is getting used to them now, and every letter makes a reference to how much nicer it is to be able to really see again.

Love to all –

Lad and Marian

P.S. Last Sunday was such a beautiful fall day here. Lad remarked, “Gee, I’d like to be in Trumbull now.” Are the leaves turning color, or did the hurricane ruin them?

M

Tomorrow I will finish off the week with another letter from Marian to Dave.

On Saturday, another excerpt for Voyage to Venezuela. Lad recounts his second day aboard the Santa Rosa as it heads to Venezuela.

Judy Guion

Army Life – Dear Dad – Two Notes From Lad to Grandpa and an Announcement – November 1, 1943

 

Today, we have a really short note from Lad with the latest details – very practical – except for Dan Cupid. and an announcement of a Tea to inform Marian’s friends of her upcoming wedding. We also have a second letter from Lad discussing some more practical matters.

 

Mon. – Nov. 1, ‘43

Dad: –

Only 13 more days ‘til —–  !!!!  With only one exception (no rent, yet)  everything has been running very, very smoothly.

Naturally, the news about Venezuela Petroleum is most welcome, but at the moment I really don’t know just what is the best course to follow. Maybe it might be wise to sell some of them and take care of the balance at the bank right away. Then whatever we can realize on Marion’s car, we can use as a starter, in a bank account, which is something we should have. Maybe you can suggest something better or more practical, but one of the first things which should be taken care of is the bank, regardless of how it is done. You still have some securities tied up in that deal, too, haven’t you?

We have been trying to find a suitable silver pattern – but it is quite a job, and lots of nice ones are not being manufactured at present. Last Thursday afternoon I got a pass from camp and Marian and I spent a couple of hours looking at rings. We finally found a very pretty one for her and then it wasn’t too hard to find one for me which would match up fairly well. So now, we at least have the rings. That same afternoon we both had our medicals and blood tests, too. We are all set — I think.

I am (we’re) sorry you will not be present, but Dan Cupid didn’t take you into consideration I guess, when he took aim and drove his arrows so deeply through our hearts. But, at the first possible chance, you’ll see us, and until that moment, give my love to Aunt Betty and the rest, and the best of luck to you all-

Laddie

***********************************************

From the South Pasadena Review:

Romance Revealed at Sunday Afternoon Tea

Miss Marian Irwin, Camp Fire Girls Executive Director of South Pasadena is the bride elect of Sgt. Alfred Guion of the United States Army. This news was made known to 25 friends who were entertained at a tea on Sunday afternoon at the home of Mrs. J. Randall Irvine of 1751 La Senda Place.

Little scrolls, bearing the names of the betrothed couple, were attached to Gardenia corsages, which were given to each guest. Pouring at the tea table decorated with pink and white flowers, were Mrs. Irvine and Mrs. James S. Whitcott,  Ms. Betty Irvine assisted in greeting the guests at the door.

Miss Irwin, who was attired in black skirt with powder blue blouse with sequined trim, wore a Gardenia and Guwahati corsage. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mowry A.  Irwin of Orinda, California, and is a graduate of the San Francisco State College. Before coming to South Pasadena a year ago to serve as the Campfire Girls Executive, she taught in the schools of Bakersfield.

Sgt. Guion is the son of A. D. Guion of Trumbull, Connecticut, and was graduated from high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is stationed at the Santa Anita Army Ordnance Training Center.

The wedding will take place on November 14th at Orinda, after which the couple will return to South Pasadena to make their home. The future bride will continue with her Camp Fire work.

**********************************************

Mon.   22-11-43

Dad: –

In answer to your various questions concerning our financial status via Venezuela Petroleum – :

1^st – Should you pay Investors Syndicate installment from Venezuela Petroleum proceeds?

Ans. Until I know more about the purpose of the Investors Syndicate (length of or number of installments or a maximum total; percentage of loss by sale; etc., etc.) I shall follow your advice and continue on with the installments; using some of the proceeds from Venezuela Petroleum for this purpose.

2^nd – If you decide to sell (and you have my permission) yes, by all means clear up your own back balance as well as

3^rd – the balance due the bank, so that you can clear your name as well as unfreeze your collateral.

4^th – For the moment sell only enough to meet current obligations (Inv. Syn; bank balance; A.D.G. back balance; and retain the remainder of them until further notice.

As to Marian’s and my address – Who knows? Apparently you have gathered, from what I have written, that Marian has had to give up her apartment, and for the moment we are living from night to night anyplace we can find a room. We’ve been looking now for almost 2 months with still no luck, so we have no address we can use as a residence.

Mailing can be to me, at Co. D, Hdq. B__, C.S.A. – Arcadia or to Marian at 2007 Edgewood Dr., South Pasadena. We have six places in mind, but in order to get one, the present occupants have to move out and as there are no available apartments for them either, it’s just a vicious circle and we seem to be at the outer end of the radius. Our friends out here, tho, are wonderful, and we have many rooms in which we could stay if the worst came to the worst. And Marian says – “We still have a car and I’ve slept in worse places. My car is only a Chevy.”  We really aren’t very worried. I guess we are just too happy and confident in ourselves to take it very seriously.

We are extremely happy and seemed to be perfectly fitted for one another. It is probably still pretty early in the game to say anything very definite, but it seems as if it was something that was meant to be, right now. We haven’t had a single setback yet, and things have run very, very smoothly, right from last January, when I first met her.

I hope this letter gives you a little something definite to work on, Dad, but in any case, you are in a better position than I to know just what is better. I have no regrets about selling, since the profit is extremely large in any case. I’m sleepy – so — good night.

Love to all,

Laddie

I’ll finish the week with a two page letter from Grandpa.

Judy Guion

Army Life – Marian writes to Grandpa About Apartment Hunting – November 1, 1943

 

             Marian writes to Grandpa – Nov. 1, 1943

 

Monday

November 1, 1943

Dear “Dad”,

Don’t know where the time has gone since I wrote you last, but believe me, just because I haven’t found the time to write to you before this, doesn’t mean that I haven’t been thinking of all of you back in Connecticut. I do so wish everyone of you could be out here on the 14th. That would make a very lovely day simply perfect! But surely it won’t be too long before we can meet each other and become acquainted!

Our plans are coming along very nicely, we think. All we do now is keep our fingers crossed, hoping things will continue to run smoothly. We got our rings last week, every time I look at mine, I almost cry! It is so beautiful! And I’m the one who has always said that weddings were a time to be exceptionally gay and cheerful. I’ll probably weep buckets!

I believe Marian is writing about this picture.

One of your recent letters stated that you were sending me, or rather, had sent me, a picture of Lad taken in civilian life. It’s been about three weeks since then, and it hasn’t arrived as yet. Do you suppose it could have gotten lost? I inquired at the post office here, but no package has arrived. Is there any way we can check up on it to see if it has been waylaid along the way? It was very thoughtful of you to think of sending me a picture. I would love to have it, and hope it hasn’t gotten lost.

We are still hunting for an apartment, and every one of our friends is frantically looking, too. But we are sure we’ll find something before the 12th of this month.

Don’t know where to continue in this installment of my life. Would you like a personal touch? I’m very fond of anything that has to do with one Sgt. A.P. Guion . I love Christmas, birthdays, family traditions and am inclined to be rather sentimental, I fear. I love meeting people, having friends who don’t wait for invitations to come over, seeing the snow does something to me that I can’t explain, but it really gives me a thrill. Al says that if I had to live in it for one winter I wouldn’t be so enthusiastic! But nonetheless, I think it’s wonderful. My favorite color is green, with red and blue running close seconds. I very rarely get angry, and when I do, I go out and walk around the block! It helps a lot. I am not a good cook or housekeeper (poor Lad!), but am very willing to learn. I have no particular phobias of any kind – I admire efficiency in other people, but am definitely lacking in that respect. Spur of the moment happenings intrigue me much more – I am not a mathematical genius nor financial wizard – as long as I have money, I love to spend it, and if I don’t have it, it doesn’t bother me one bit!

I don’t know what else you would like to know about me. Ask some more questions if you have any that are bothering you. I’d love to try to answer them for you.

Thank you for including me in your very interesting letters to your scattered family. I have enjoyed reading your letters very much, and am glad that you and I agree as to policy regarding their sharing.

My love to you and Aunt Betty. Tell Jean that I know we could get along beautifully. After all, we have a common interest that is really wonderful, don’t we? And I understand she enjoys interior decorating. Another common interest!

Love,

Marian

Tomorrow a letter from Lad asking for financial advice, and on Thursday and Friday, a two-pager from Grandpa, letting everyone know what is going on with everyone else, as is his custom. 

Judy Guion

Army Life – Dear Dad (May I?) – Marian’s First Letter to Grandpa – October, 1943

 

Today, we read Marian’s first letter to Grandpa. She tells him a little bit more about herself and the wedding plans, but her bright and cheerful personality shines through.

Friday –

Dear “Dad” (May I?)

Thank you so much for your thoughtful letter. I really feel as tho’ I do know you, because Al has told me quite a bit about you. Getting really acquainted however, is impossible by letter, so I, too, am looking forward to the time when I can meet you personally and we can compare “facts and figures”. Let’s hope that that time won’t be very far away.

I started this letter last night, but Al came over so I know you’ll understand when I say, “I just couldn’t get it finished! I tried but —-.” Anyway, I’m glad, now, that I waited, for I have the added pleasure of hearing from you, and somehow that makes you just that much closer.

Thank you, too, for having such a wonderful son. I know we agree fully on all the fine qualities he has – I don’t need to tell you how very nice he really is, but, even tho’ you’ve known him longer than I have, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he’s the one I’ve been waiting for. And may I say a word right here, to Aunt Betty. “Thank you so much for your good wishes. Your opinion of Lad only confirmed what I felt all along. Someday soon, Aunt Betty, we’ll get together and compare notes for I imagine we’ll agree on quite a number of things.”

           Marian, Don, Margaret and Homer Irwin

I don’t know how much Al has told you about me. I haven’t led a very eventful life but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. I am the oldest offour children, two boys and two girls. One brother and my sister are married, and living in or near Berkeley. My youngest brother is in his second year at California (University of) and is living at home. “Home” is Orinda – a glorified country club, at one time, but is now a residential section with about three stores at the main intersection. Dad works for the Westinghouse Electric Supply Company in Oakland. All of his relatives, except his father who is here in California, are from the East, but I believe almost all of them are in Pennsylvania. Most of Mother’s family are here in California, about one hundred miles from where we live. It’s quite a tribe we have, and all of us have been quite close. Cousins have grown up together, Before the war we always went to my Grandmother’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother’s Day, and we lived close enough so that we could see each other over weekends and other holidays, too. When we all get together there are about 40 or 45 of us, so you can imagine what a time we must have. And we all love it! I know they’re going to take to Lad immediately – as a matter of fact  – who doesn’t ? – And I hope he won’t be too floored by meeting so many “in-laws” the very first thing. Seems to me I’m supposed to introduce them gradually, but they are all so nice, I don’t think they’ll floor him!

Marian Irwin’s first class – 4th, 5th and 6th grade in Arvin, CA

I went to Berkeley High School and then across the bay to San Francisco State College. I taught school for five years – loved it but decided I wanted something different – so I am now the Camp Fire Girls Executive in South Pasadena. I love it, and will continue working after we are married – but only until Lad gets out of the Army. Then I’ll stop, with pleasure, and we can concentrate on such things as a family and getting really acquainted and besides- I’ve got to learn how to cook! Oh, I can manage to fry an egg or cook a vegetable, but I want to be able to do a really good job of it. You know, be famous for a special cake or a delicious stew etc.!

Lad probably told you that we were being married on Sunday, November 14th, (U.S. Gov’t permitting!) at Berkeley. The reception will be right afterwards for family and those friends who have the gas to drive out! I will be married in a suit, and we are having a double ring ceremony. I do wish you could be there, but will certainly be thinking of you all day long.

Seems to me I’ve rambled on enough. There are still lots of things I’d like to say, but I can’t put them all in one letter. I’ll write again, very soon, and give you more details.

My very best wishes to you and Aunt Betty. It won’t be very long before we meet each other.

With love,

Marian

Tomorrow, another letter from Marian to Grandpa, then a letter from Lad to his father, and I’ll finish out the week with a 2-pager from Grandpa.

Judy Guion

Army Life – Dear Dad – Marian’s Arrival in Jackson, Mississippi – September 4, 1944

 

Monday

Dear Dad: –

Practically a week since I’ve been here in the fair city of Jackson – and high time that I got a letter written to you. On the last day of our trip we had tire trouble – not too bad, really, and considering the roads we went over, I’m surprised we didn’t have more. One of the trailer tires went out, and we had to use the spare one for the car on the trailer, but as long as it was the last day of our trip, I didn’t mind so much. I was sure that we could limp in for the last hundred miles, and we did. We got our signals mixed and came into Jackson a different way than we had planned, so we stopped by the camp to see if we could reach the fellows by phone so that they would know we had arrived safely. While I was waiting in the Provost Marshal’s office for the message to be put through, the fellows arrived at the gate, ready to go out for the evening. We really timed that meeting well, and Lad, wonderful person that he is, had already found a place for me to stay – so I didn’t have any house – hunting problems the very first night. We are looking now, however, for an apartment, but they are very few and far between. But I have plenty of time during the day to hunt, and if the weather were just a little cooler, it would help a lot. We certainly can’t say very much for the weather down here. It is awfully hot and very, very humid, and the nights don’t cool it off at all. They do get thundershowers quite frequently, though, and they help a little.

Lad’s present training set up consists of night classes – he is to do part of the instructing – so I might be able to see him just on the weekends. So far he has gotten out of camp every night, but he has to be back there by 1 AM. We think that after the training program gets going, these rules might be changed – we hope! Lad probably told you about the camp set up here. If it weren’t for so many trivial rules and regulations it wouldn’t be a bad place. But as long as we are in the Army we take what is handed us without too much griping or fussing. It doesn’t do too much good, anyway, but it sometimes helps a little.

I’m waiting to see what Lad’s hours are going to be before I see about a job, but it will help during the week if I can have something to do. And maybe it will keep my mind off the foul weather.

On the way here, we drove right past the main gate of Camp Crowder, and I wished that I had had time to stop to see Dave. I wasn’t too presentable, but thought maybe he would excuse me. However, we were a little late so I didn’t stop – maybe it was just as well I didn’t as Dave was out on maneuvers then so I couldn’t have seen him anyway.

We received a letter from Ced last week, in fact, two of them. One was written in March sometime and failed to reach us at Pomona. He mentioned a package we were supposed to have received, so we have started tracing the missing link. Maybe it will turn up the way the picture did.

It’s almost time to meet Lad for dinner downtown so I’d better close – until next time.

All our love,

Lad and Marian

For the rest of this week, I’ll be posting a long letter from Grandpa to family members far from home.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear “Offspring of a Small Explosion” – Advice From Grandpa – September 3, 1944

Alfred Duryee Guion (Grandpa)

Trumbull, Conn., September 3, 1944

Dear “Offspring of a Small Explosion”:

Well, why not? That’s the definition of “pop”, isn’t it, and anyway there is justification in the term due to the fact that I have just been sneezing away at accelerated tempo by reason of the fact I have been wandering through fields and brush for the last hour on a child hunt. Sometime late this morning Skipper and Susan disappeared and not having shown up by 2 PM, their mother scoured the immediate vicinity by car and “mother calls”, which proving ineffectual, the neighbors gradually joined in the search, still to no avail. Finally Kit decided to call the police, and being just a big Boy Scout at heart, I decided to brave the naughty pollen and put in my little two cents worth of searching. I chose for my particular territory Reynolds sandpit and thence both sides of the stream and neighboring woodland from there down as far as Levy’s. After an hour the pollen definitely won and here I am jabbing downwards between teardrops with an occasional sneeze for punctuation. However it was a vicarious sacrifice on my part for I learned after returning home that a few minutes after I had left, the two children came nonchalantly strolling in, having been spending the time in a study of animal life watching the horse in Reynold’s barn. If Sue grows up to be a second Rosa Bonheur I shall feel reconciled to the price.

You will be cussing me, I suppose for a bothersome hair shirt, but here goes for another whack at the desirability of knowing where you want to go so that you can set an intelligent course for your goal – – this time it is an editorial from the Bridgeport Post: “It is characteristic of youth to live for the moment, grabbing the fleeting hours with little thought of the morrow. But the theory that life is brief at best and that it is up to the liver to have the best time he can while he may, is not a fancy confined to youth. Among the world’s most dismal failures are those whose schooling, skill, mental power and discipline of will were all invested for a short life and a gay one (My friend, Roger comes to mind). Therefore, one of the best tests of maturity is the capacity of looking far ahead and of realizing that “the road passes on through the long afternoon and stretches away in the night”. Paradoxically, shortsighted people discover that life is not short, but long, much too long. For the day’s work they have insufficient training, capital or experience. For the fullest enjoyment of the sunset of the years they have insufficient health and nerve – force. So, in life planning, as in other issues, the longest way ‘round is often the shortest way home.”

Daniel Beck Guion

Personally, I think this view is a bit too austere, but I do sincerely believe that while we can and should snatch enjoyment from life as we go along, there is nothing to prevent us at the same time knowing where we are headed for and having our fun while traveling this particular road. Dan, for instance, seems to have the capacity of getting a great kick out of whatever he is doing, as witnessed the last V-mail letter which has just arrived from “somewhere in France”. And by the way, note his new address. Co. A. 660th Engr. Topo. Bn., Hq. Communications Zone (Forward European Theatre of Operations) APO 887 C/o PM, New York, N. Y. He writes: “Observe our new address! Terse, eh? Mail service is abominable these days, but the war makes up for it. I am finding less and less leisure time as you no doubt are well aware. I am constantly exposed to what I consider to be the greatest enjoyment of life, i.e., the observance of (and participation in) exotic customs, habits, sites and languages. However heretic it might seem, I am almost disappointed to realize that the war is nearly over! It is amazing how quickly one can lose contact with the past. I have no idea what goes on in the U.S. — the latest songs — movies, politics, business trends — even London seems distant now. The other day I was talking to a couple of WACS. I was shocked and disappointed in the way they talked. After becoming accustomed to the English girls the American girls seem vulgar – loud. I realize those WACS were average Americans but I cannot help feeling that those of us who have been in Europe for a year or so will find America a bit difficult at first — and wonderful, too.”

(Query – am I to give thought to the possibility of having an English, or possibly French, daughter-in-law?)

Carl was over here just before dinner time and he read Dan’s letter. His experience with the English girls is at variance with Dan’s. His months leave is up tomorrow and he now goes down for another assignment – – where or on what kind of ship is of course unknown. He told me of meeting a Capt. John Trunk in Cartagena, Colombia, S.A., which he thought Ced might be interested in hearing about. It seems the captain is associated with a branch of Socony-Vacuum known as the Andean National Corporation and is a flying instructor. Carl went out with him to the airport and looked over their 12-seater seaplane.

Alfred Peabody Guion (my Dad)

Both sides of the APG branch have been heard from, and when you realize that Marion wrote en route, from Kansas, and Lad from a place where he says “perspiration is running off me as I write worse than it did in South America, and that is H O T”, it really means they made a big effort to keep us posted, and by the same token it is very much appreciated. Lad’s trip was attended by a hot box on his train, causing a couple of hours delay until they could transfer to another car. They were en route from Monday to Thursday. After diligent search, Lad finally located a place in Jackson which is about 19 miles south of his camp at Flora. Lad hopes his stay will not last more than five or six weeks as the combination of humidity and hot sun makes it extremely uncomfortable. He also speaks of receiving an absentee ballot from Helen Plumb, which I asked be done in the case of each of you (except infant Dave). He’ll love that infant part. Naturally, I haven’t heard from him, and incidentally Marian, if you had been able to stop at his camp you would not have found him as he was out on a hike.

Marian Dunlap (Irwin) Guion (my Mom)

Marian says the trip as far is Wakeeny, Kansas, from which she wrote, was accomplished without more than the necessity at the start of having to have a couple of small part replacements. There is someone with her because she says “we”, but I don’t know whether one or two are along beside herself. “We have been through some beautiful country. The Salt Lake desert was very hot and dry but the past two days have been cool and comfortable. In fact this morning we were downright cold. We were going through the Rockies and at one time were at an elevation of 11,315 feet.

Your insurance, Ced and Lad, is due this month and I shall, of course, take care of the premium as usual.

And that’s about all, except that Aunt Betty and Jean send their best, being wafted on to you on a couple of sneezes from

DAD

Incidentally, according to the radio, today is the 1000 day of the war.

Tomorrow I’ll post a letter from Marian to Grandpa from Jackson, Mississippi. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, another letter from Grandpa.

Judy Guion.